A/N: This is meant to be a Paige focused fanfic. It's set sometime where Cole is gone (sadly), but Piper isn't pregnant, nor had Wyatt, and Leo didn't become an Elder.

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            Darryl pulled up to the manor. Putting the car in park and removing the keys from the ignition he glanced over at Paige. Her eye's kept steady on his dashboard like that had been the entire ride. He exited his car door, and walked around to the other side of the car. When he opened the door, Paige remained there motionless. He cautiously reached over to unbuckle her seatbelt and hesitatively took her hand to lead her out. Paige began to tense up at his touch, but a quick, comforting smile from Darryl relaxed her. He noticed his coat begin to slip off her shoulders and readjusted more tightly about her, even buttoning a button. After leading her up the steps of the manor, he rung the doorbell. Impatients getting the best of him, he was about to ring it again when Piper opened the door.

"Hey, Darryl." She greeted cheerfully. She quickly noticed her baby sister behind him. "Paige, oh my gosh! We've been worried sick about you." Piper exclaimed, hugging her little sister. "After you didn't come home or call last night, I was beginning to think something happened to you."

"Uh, Piper… we need to talk." Darryl said, his voice carrying a serious and sad tone.

"Sure, come on in." Piper opened the door wider, letting them in. She had detected something different about Paige, but couldn't put her finger on it; possibly the big, oversized men's coat she was wearing. Piper starred as Paige walked slowly up to her room. Her walk seemed to stagger slower and slower up the stairs. When she reached the top, Paige kind of stood there, starring down the hallway.

"Paige, are you alright?" Paige just looked at Piper, her eyes portraying her sadness, pain, and confusion she was feeling. Paige then continued onto her room, quietly shutting the door.

"Piper?" Darryl said, trying to break the evident trance Piper was in.

"Oh, Darryl, thanks for bringing Paige home." Piper replied, snapping back into the conversation. "Where was she anyway?"

"That's the thing Piper… the police had found her in this back alley. She was… she wasn't the same though. She was hugging her knees like a scared child, rocking herself back and forth. Luckily, the policemen who arrived on the scene recognized her as one of my friends and called me."

"Oh my god…" Piper took in a deep breath, trying to grasp hold of the situation. "What does this mean? Was she hurt? Is she okay?"

"I'm not sure. She wouldn't speak or let anyone near her. It took a while to even get her to trust me. It was like she was scared witless of everything and everyone."

"Was it like she was drunk, or under the influence of something?" Piper ventured, not knowing what to think. The worst scenarios flooded her mind.

"She didn't appear to be either, but then again, there was no way she would have let us administer the test. You could bring her down later if you want me to check."

"Thanks Darryl, and I'll umm… talk to her." Piper withdrew herself from the conversation and headed up the stairs.

"Call me, Piper!" Darryl yelled to her.

"I will!" Piper replied, taking the stairs at a quick pace. Once she reached Paige's door, she lightly knocked upon it. When there was no reply, she slowly opened the door. She scanned the room to see Paige was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees and resting her head on them. Piper walked up and sat down next to her. Paige still didn't acknowledge that Piper had entered the room. "Paige?" Piper softly called to her. Paige began to rock herself. Piper touched Paige's face, removing strands of hair that had fallen when she felt a hot tear hit her hand. Piper looked up into Paige's eyes and realized she was crying.

"What's wrong, Paige?"

"I tried to save her, but I couldn't. They wouldn't let me. I really did try." Paige began muttering, in a repeated trance, eventually sobbing. Piper pulled her into her embracing arms, rubbing her back as Paige continued to mutter. Piper rocked her till her voice finally ceased, whispering consoling words into her ear. She then helped Paige slide into her bed and under the covers. Once Piper was sure Paige was asleep, she crept out the room. She briefly called Phoebe to tell her, and minutes after the phone call, Phoebe had left work and was heading for the manor.

Piper had continued to watch Paige as she slept until she heard Phoebe park her car. She quietly crept out of the room and down the stairs. Piper met Phoebe at the door and signaled her to be quiet as she entered. Phoebe silently put up her coat and followed Piper into the living room where they both took a seat on the couch.

"So, what is the emergency with Paige?" Phoebe asked.

"I'm not sure. She was mumbling something about not being able to save someone. Darryl said they found her in an alleyway; she wouldn't let anyone near herself." Piper explained.

"What could've happened? If it was something demonic, I'm sure Paige could've handled it or even orbed away."

"I don't know… I didn't get a chance to ask her. It's like she's traumatized or something." Piper sighed, running her hands through her hair, worry evident in her voice.

"Oh…"

"What worries me is if it wasn't something demonic, we can't just make whatever happen be reversed." Piper sighed.

"Well, is she awake now?" Phoebe asked, glancing at Paige's door.

"No… she fell asleep about thirty minutes ago."

"Oh, I don't think we should wake her now. We can wait till she gets up and then we can talk to her."

"Yeah, that'll probably be best." Piper agreed.

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A/N: Yes, I'm aware of the shortness, but the next chapter will make up for it with its longness. And, of course, all the details haven't been unfolded, so you might be confused. Though, much will be revealed in the next chapter. Oh my gosh… did you hear that? I think the little review button is calling for you.